Minimally Invasive Interbody Fusion

ABSTRACT

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for distracting tissue. The devices and methods may include insertion of first and second elongated members into the space between two tissue layers, with an augmenting elongated member at least partially inserted therebetween to form a distraction device between the tissues to be distracted. At least one of the first and second elongated members may be formed of a flexible core member with a plurality of rigid veneer members spaced along the length of the core member. At least one of the elongated members may include a shaping member that automatically moves from a generally linear configuration to a generally less linear configuration. A deployment catheter may include a deformable distal end to allow augmentation of the tissue distraction device during implantation. An injection aid may be provided for introducing a filler material into an interior defined by a deployed tissue distraction device.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of and priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/623,025, filed Jan. 29, 2018, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/718,570, filed Aug. 14, 2018, the contents of both of which are incorporated by reference herein.

DESCRIPTION Technical Field

The present disclosure generally relates to apparatus and methods employed in minimally invasive surgical procedures and more particularly to various aspects of apparatus and methods for separating and/or supporting tissue layers, especially in the disc space of the spine.

Background

A variety of physical conditions involve two tissue surfaces that, for diagnosis or treatment of the condition, need to be separated or distracted or maintained in a separated condition from one another and then supported in a spaced-apart relationship. Such separation or distraction may be to gain exposure to selected tissue structures, to apply a therapeutic pressure to selected tissues, to return or reposition tissue structures to a more normal or original anatomic position and form, to deliver a drug or growth factor, to alter, influence or deter further growth of select tissues or to carry out other diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. Depending on the condition being treated, the tissue surfaces may be opposed or contiguous and may be bone, skin, soft tissue, or a combination thereof.

One location of the body where tissue separation is useful as a corrective treatment is in the spinal column. Developmental irregularities, trauma, tumors, stress and degenerative wear can cause defects in the spinal column for which surgical intervention is necessary. Some of the more common defects of the spinal column include vertebral compression fractures, degeneration or disruption of an intervertebral disc and intervertebral disc herniation. These and other pathologies of the spine are often treated with implants that can restore vertebral column height, immobilize or fuse adjacent vertebral bones, or function to provide flexibility and restore natural movement of the spinal column. Accordingly, different defects in the spinal column require different types of treatment, and the location and anatomy of the spine that requires corrective surgical procedures determines whether an immobilizing implantable device or a flexible implantable device is used for such treatment.

In a typical spinal corrective procedure involving distraction of tissue layers, damaged spinal tissue is removed or relocated prior to distraction. After the damaged tissue has been removed or relocated, adjacent spinal tissue layers, such as adjacent bone structures, are then distracted to separate and restore the proper distance between the adjacent tissue layers. Once the tissue layers have been separated by the proper distance, an immobilizing or flexible device, depending on the desired treatment, is implanted between the tissue layers. In the past, the implantable treatment devices have been relatively large cage-like devices that require invasive surgical techniques, which require relative large incisions into the human spine.

Such invasive surgical techniques often disrupt and disturb tissue surrounding the surgical site to the detriment of the patient, so implantable treatment devices and methods that utilize minimally invasive procedures may be preferable. Minimally invasive methods and devices may be particularly needed in the area of intervertebral or disc treatment. The intervertebral disc is divided into two distinct regions: the nucleus pulposus and the annulus fibrosus. The nucleus lies at the center of the disc and is surrounded and contained by the annulus. The annulus contains collagen fibers that form concentric lamellae that surround the nucleus and insert into the endplates of the adjacent vertebral bodies to form a reinforced structure. Cartilaginous endplates are located at the interface between the disc and the adjacent vertebral bodies.

The intervertebral disc is the largest avascular structure in the body. The cells of the disc receive nutrients and expel waste by diffusion through the adjacent vascularized endplates. The hygroscopic nature of the proteoglycan matrix secreted by cells of the nucleus operates to generate high intra-nuclear pressure. As the water content in the disc increases, the intra-nuclear pressure increases and the nucleus swells to increase the height of the disc. This swelling places the fibers of the annulus in tension. A normal disc has a height of about 10-15 mm.

There are many causes of disruption or degeneration of the intervertebral disc that can be generally categorized as mechanical, genetic, and biochemical. Mechanical damage includes herniation in which a portion of the nucleus pulposus projects through a fissure or tear in the annulus fibrosus. Genetic and biochemical causes can result in changes in the extracellular matrix pattern of the disc and a decrease in biosynthesis of extracellular matrix components by the cells of the disc. Degeneration is a progressive process that usually begins with a decrease in the ability of the extracellular matrix in the central nucleus pulposus to bind water due to reduced proteoglycan content. With a loss of water content, the nucleus becomes desiccated resulting in a decrease in internal disc hydraulic is pressure, and ultimately to a loss of disc height. This loss of disc height can cause the annulus to buckle with non-tensile loading and the annular lamellae to delaminate, resulting in annular fissures. Herniation may then occur as rupture leads to protrusion of the nucleus.

Proper disc height is necessary to ensure proper functionality of the intervertebral disc and spinal column. The disc serves several functions, although its primary function is to facilitate mobility of the spine. In addition, the disc provides for load bearing, load transfer, and shock absorption between vertebral levels. The weight of the person generates a compressive load on the discs, but this load is not uniform during typical bending movements. During forward flexion, the posterior annular fibers are stretched while the anterior fibers are compressed. In addition, a translocation of the nucleus occurs as the center of gravity of the nucleus shifts away from the center and towards the extended side.

Changes in disc height can have both local and global effects. Decreased disc height results in increased pressure in the nucleus, which can lead to a decrease in cell matrix synthesis and an increase in cell necrosis and apoptosis. In addition, increases in intra-discal pressure create an unfavorable environment for fluid transfer into the disc, which can cause a further decrease in disc height.

Decreased disc height also results in significant changes in the global mechanical stability of the spine. With decreasing height of the disc, the facet joints bear increasing loads and may undergo hypertrophy and degeneration, and may even act as a source of pain over time. Decreased stiffness of the spinal column and increased range of motion resulting from loss of disc height can lead to further instability of the spine, as well as back pain.

Radicular pain may result from a decrease in foraminal volume caused by decreased disc height. Specifically, as disc height decreases, the volume of the foraminal canal, through which the spinal nerve roots pass, decreases. This decrease may lead to spinal nerve impingement, with associated radiating pain and dysfunction.

Finally, adjacent segment loading increases as the disc height decreases at a given level. The discs that must bear additional loading are now susceptible to accelerated degeneration and compromise, which may eventually propagate along the destabilized spinal column.

In spite of all of these detriments that accompany decreases in disc height, where the change in disc height is gradual many of the ill effects may be “tolerable” to the spine and patient and may allow time for the spinal system to adapt to the gradual changes. However, the sudden decrease in disc volume caused by the surgical removal of the disc or disc nucleus may increase the local and global problems noted above.

Many disc defects are treated through a surgical procedure, such as a discectomy in which the nucleus pulposus material is removed. During a total discectomy, a substantial amount (and usually all) of the volume of the nucleus pulposus is removed and immediate loss of disc height and volume can result. Even with a partial discectomy, loss of disc height can ensue. Discectomy alone is the most common spinal surgical treatment, frequently used to treat radicular pain resulting from nerve impingement by disc bulge or disc fragments contacting the spinal neural structures.

The discectomy may be followed by an implant procedure in which a prosthesis is introduced into the cavity left in the disc space when the nucleus material is removed. Thus far, the most common prosthesis is a mechanical device or a “cage” that is sized to restore the proper disc height and is configured for fixation between adjacent vertebrae. These mechanical solutions take on a variety of forms, including solid kidney-shaped implants, hollow blocks filled with bone growth material, push-in implants and threaded cylindrical cages.

A challenge in the use of a posterior procedure to install spinal prosthesis devices is that a device large enough to contact the end plates and expand the space between the end plates of the same or adjacent vertebra must be inserted through a limited space. In the case of procedures to increasing intervertebral spacing, the difficulties are further increased by the presence of posterior osteophytes, which may cause “fish mouthing” or concavity of the posterior end plates and result in very limited access to the disc. A further challenge in degenerative disc spaces is the tendency of the disc space to assume a lenticular shape, which requires a relatively larger implant than often is easily introduced without causing trauma to the nerve roots. The size of rigid devices that may safely be introduced into the disc space is thereby limited.

While cages of the prior art have been generally successful in promoting fusion and approximating proper disc height, typically these cages have been inserted from the posterior approach, and are therefore limited in size by the interval between the nerve roots. Further, it is generally difficult to implant from the posterior approach a cage that accounts for the natural lordotic curve of the lumber spine.

It is desirable to reduce potential trauma to the nerve roots and yet still allow restoration or maintenance of disc space height in procedures involving vertebrae fusion devices and disc replacement, containment of the nucleus of the disc, or prevention of herniation of the nucleus of the disc. In general, minimally invasive surgical techniques reduce surgical trauma, blood loss, and pain. However, despite the use of minimally invasive techniques, the implantation of cage devices for treating the spine typically involves nerve root retraction, an inherently high risk procedure. It is therefore desirable to reduce the degree of invasiveness of the surgical procedures required to implant the device, which may also serve to permit reduction in the pain, trauma, and blood loss, as well as the avoidance and/or reduction of the nerve root retraction.

In minimally invasive procedures, to monitor placement, it is useful that implant devices inserted into spinal tissue be detectable using fluoroscopic imaging systems. However if a device is visible using X-ray technology, then the device can interfere with the detection and monitoring of spinal tissues, such as bone growing into the disc space after a vertebral fusion procedure. Additional advances would also be useful in this area.

SUMMARY

There are several aspects of the present subject matter which may be embodied separately or together in the devices, systems, and/or methods described and claimed below. These aspects may be employed alone or in combination with other aspects of the subject matter described herein, and the description of these aspects together is not intended to preclude the use of these aspects separately or the claiming of such aspects separately or in different combinations as set forth in the claims appended hereto.

In one aspect, a tissue distraction device includes at least one elongated member, with a shaping member being removably associated with the at least one elongated member. The at least one elongated member and the shaping member are configured to change from a generally linear configuration to a generally less linear configuration, with the shaping member being configured to automatically move from the generally linear configuration to the generally less linear configuration. Automatic movement of the shaping member from the generally linear configuration to the generally less linear configuration causes movement of the at least one elongated member from the generally linear configuration to the generally less linear configuration.

In another aspect, a tissue distraction device includes at least one elongated member comprised of an elongated internal core member and a plurality of veneer members at least partially surrounding the internal core member and spaced along the length of the internal core member. The internal core member is sufficiently flexible to change between a generally linear configuration and a generally less linear configuration, while the plurality of veneer members are substantially formed of a generally rigid material.

In yet another aspect, a tissue distraction system includes a tissue distraction device and an injection aid. The tissue distraction device is configured to be positioned between tissue layers, includes an elongated guide member, and defines a window into its interior. The injection aid includes a follower member and a funnel member, with the funnel member defining a lumen and extending between a proximal end configured to accommodate at least a portion of an injector device and a distal end. The follower member is associable with the guide member to align the distal end of the funnel member with the window of the tissue distraction device and to allow movement of the injection aid along at least a portion of the length of the guide member to position the distal end of the funnel member adjacent to the window, at least partially inside of the window, or in the interior of the tissue distraction device via the window for introduction of a filler material into the interior of the tissue distraction device.

In another aspect, a tissue distraction system includes a tissue distraction device configured to be positioned between tissue layers. The system also includes a deployment cannula extending between proximal and distal ends and configured for introduction of the tissue distraction device between the tissue layers. The tissue distraction device has a dimensional aspect in a direction extending between the tissue layers, with the dimensional aspect of at least a portion of the tissue distraction device being configured to increase while the tissue distraction device is at least partially positioned at the distal end of the deployment cannula. At least a portion of the distal end of the deployment cannula is configured to deform to accommodate the increase of the dimensional aspect of the tissue distraction device while the tissue distraction device is at least partially positioned at the distal end of the deployment cannula.

In yet another aspect, a method is provided for manufacturing a tissue distraction device. The method includes forming a lower portion of at least one veneer member. An intermediate layer is formed onto the lower portion so as to define a cavity. At least a portion of an elongated internal core member is inserted into the cavity. An upper portion is formed onto the intermediate portion so as to enclose the internal core member within the cavity. The veneer member is generally rigid, while the internal core member is configured to change from a generally linear configuration to a generally less linear configuration.

In another aspect, a method is provided for manufacturing a tissue distraction device. The method includes forming a single body piece defining a plurality of generally rigid body elements each connected to an adjacent body element by at least one frangible bridge. The single body piece is associated to a generally flexible internal core member, which is moved from a generally linear configuration to a generally less linear configuration to break the bridges and separate each body element from the adjacent body element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a distraction device according to an aspect of the present disclosure, in a generally less linear configuration;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the distraction device of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are top perspective views of an upper elongated member of the distraction device of FIG. 1 in a generally linear configuration, with FIG. 4 showing interior elements of the upper elongated member;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the upper elongated member of FIGS. 3 and 4;

FIGS. 5A-5D illustrate an exemplary method for manufacturing the upper elongated member of FIGS. 3 and 4;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are top perspective views of an alternative embodiment of an upper elongated member in a generally linear configuration, with FIG. 6A showing interior elements of the upper elongated member;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the upper elongated member of FIGS. 6A and 6B;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a shaping member of the upper elongated member of FIGS. 6A-7, in a generally less linear configuration;

FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of a lower elongated member of the distraction device of FIG. 1, in a generally less linear configuration;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the lower elongated member of FIG. 9, in another generally less linear configuration;

FIGS. 11 and 12A are end perspective views of the distraction device of FIG. 1, with FIG. 12A showing interior elements of the distraction device;

FIG. 12B is a cross-sectional view of the distraction device of FIGS. 11 and 12A;

FIG. 13 is an end perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the distraction device of FIGS. 11 and 12A, showing interior elements of the distraction device;

FIG. 14 is an end perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the distraction device of FIGS. 11 and 12A, showing interior elements of the distraction device;

FIG. 15 is an exploded view of an upper elongated member of another alternative embodiment of a distraction device according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 16 is a side elevational view of a single body piece of the upper elongated member of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a bottom plan view of the single body piece of the upper elongated member of FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the components of a distraction device incorporating the upper elongated member of FIG. 15;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the distraction device of claim 18, in an assembled condition;

FIG. 20 is bottom perspective view of the distraction device of FIG. 1, with an associated guide member;

FIG. 21 is a bottom perspective view of the distraction device of FIG. 20, showing a deployment device being moved away from the distraction device, along the guide member;

FIG. 22 is a bottom perspective view of the distraction device of FIG. 20, showing an injection aid being moved toward the distraction device, along the guide member;

FIG. 23 is a bottom perspective view of the distraction device and injection aid of FIG. 22, with an injector device received by the injection aid;

FIG. 24 is a bottom perspective view of the distraction device and guide member of FIG. 20, with a handle member associated with the guide member for removal of the guide member from the distraction device;

FIG. 25 is a bottom perspective view of the distraction device of FIG. 24, with the guide member removed therefrom;

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the deployment device of FIG. 21;

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a cannula of the deployment device of FIG. 26, with components of a distraction device positioned therein;

FIGS. 28 and 29 are perspectives view of the cannula of FIG. 27, with components of the distraction device partially positioned outside of the cannula;

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of an alternative deployment cannula, showing a distraction device in a generally less linear configuration;

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of the cannula and distraction device of FIG. 30, showing the distraction device in a partially augmented condition; and

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of the cannula and distraction device of FIG. 31, showing the distraction device in a fully augmented condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

The embodiments disclosed herein are for the purpose of providing an exemplary description of the present subject matter. They are, however, only exemplary, and the present subject matter may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting the subject matter as defined in the accompanying claims.

The devices and methods of the present disclosure provide multiple features of distraction devices, distraction device support structures, and deployment systems that can be used to actively separate tissue layers by engaging them and forcing them apart, or to support the separation of tissue layers separated by the distraction device itself or by other devices or processes or a combination of these.

As used herein, the phrases “distraction device” and “support structure” are intended to have a general meaning and are not limited to devices that only actively separate tissue layers, only support tissue layers or only both actively separate and support tissue layers. For example, a distraction device or support structure in general can be used to actively separate layers of tissue and then be removed after such separation, or a distraction device or support structure could be used to support layers of tissue that have been previously separated by a different device. Alternatively, a distraction device or support structure can be used to actively separate the layers of tissue and remain in place to support the layers of tissue in order to maintain such separation. Unless more specifically set forth in the claims, as used herein, the phrases “distraction device” and “support structure” encompass any and all of these. In addition, it should be noted that the references to “first” and “second” members or devices are for convenience in the written description. They may be combined to provide a single distraction assembly or structure of selected distraction height, and the assembly is not limited to any particular number of “devices” or “members.” In keeping with the broader aspects of the present disclosure, the specific number of “devices” or “members” can be varied according to the intended usage or design considerations.

It should also be understood that various embodiments of the devices, systems, and methods of the present disclosure are illustrated for purposes of explanation in vertebral fusion procedures and/or replacement of removed discs. However, in its broader aspects, the various features of the present disclosure are not limited to these particular applications and may be used in connection with other tissue layers, such as soft tissue layers, although it has particular utility and benefit in treatment of vertebral conditions within intervertebral discs or disc spaces.

One embodiment of a distraction device or support structure or implant is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The distraction device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is comprised of a first or upper elongated member 1, a second or lower elongated member 2, and an augmenting elongated member 3. The augmenting elongated member 3 cooperatively interacts with the first and second elongated members 1 and 2 to increase a dimensional aspect of the distraction device or support structure. The distraction device is preferably comprised of elongated members made of biocompatible materials (including metals and polymers) that are suitable for long-term implantation into human tissue where treatment is needed. The biocompatible materials may, for example, be calcium phosphate, tricalcium phosphate, hydroxyapatite, polyetheretherketone (PEEK), nylon, titanium, Nitinol (NiTi) or any other suitable biocompatible material. Suitable biocompatible material may also include PEEK with carbon fibers, polyethylenes of low, medium, and/or high densities, as well as nylons and blends of materials that contain nylons. It is also within the scope of the present disclosure for the elongated members to be at least partially comprised of one or more bioabsorbable materials, such as polyglycolic acid (PGA) or poly-L lactic acid (PLLA), for example. To the extent not contradicted by the present disclosure, elongated members according to the present disclosure may be manufactured, configured, and function generally according to the disclosures of U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,454,617 and 9,480,574, both of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the first and/or second elongated members 1 and 2 are provided with a hybrid or composite structure, rather than a unitary structure. For example, FIGS. 3-5 show the configuration of an exemplary embodiment of the first elongated member 1, with the understanding that the second elongated member 2 may be a mirror image of the first elongated member 1 or may be differently configured. In the illustrated embodiment, the first elongated member 1 is formed of an elongated internal core member 4 and a plurality of outer skin or veneer elements or members 5, which at least partially surround the internal core member 4 (as best shown in FIG. 5) and which are spaced along the length of the internal core member 4.

Preferably, the elongated members which form the distraction device are configured to change (e.g., by flexing or bending) between a generally linear configuration for insertion into tissue or between tissue layers (FIGS. 3 and 4) and generally less linear configurations when deployed between tissue layers (FIGS. 1 and 2) to define the tissue distraction device. While FIGS. 1 and 2 show the elongated members in a generally annular configuration, it should be understood that in changing from the generally linear configuration to the generally annular or closed loop configuration of FIGS. 1 and 2, the elongated members pass through intermediate, generally less linear configurations (see FIGS. 9 and 10, for example), which are more arcuate and less linear than the insertion configuration of FIGS. 3 and 4, but less annular than the fully deployed configuration of FIGS. 1 and 2. As used herein, the term “annular” is not limited to substantially circular distraction devices and elongated members, but may include other closed shapes, such as ovals and rectangles, or substantially closed versions of such shapes.

To allow a hybrid elongated member (of the type shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) to so change in configuration, the internal core member 4 is preferably formed of a flexible material, such as PEEK or another polymer, with the internal core member 4 being manufactured using any of a number of suitable techniques, including machining or milling techniques. Milling can include cutting an internal core member 4 (or the body of a non-hybrid elongated member, such as the augmenting elongated member 3) from solid blocks or rods of PEEK or other suitable material. An internal core member 4 (or body of a non-hybrid elongated member) may also be manufactured using molding or extrusion techniques. In addition, the internal core members 4 (or bodies or non-hybrid elongated members) of the present disclosure may be manufactured with electrical discharge machining processes and by rapid prototyping methods including fused deposition modeling (FDI) and stereo lithography (SLA) techniques.

In contrast to the internal core member 4, the outer veneer members 5 may be formed of a generally rigid material, such as a metallic material. In one embodiment, the outer veneer members 5 are formed of a titanium material, which has excellent biocompatibility with human tissue, particularly when at least a portion of an outer surface of the outer veneer members 5 (preferably a portion oriented to engage a tissue layer) is formed so as to have a rough, porous surface for improved biological fixation. Regardless of the material composition and particular configuration of the outer veneer members 5, they may be formed by any of a number of suitable approaches, including a 3D printing approach.

According to an exemplary approach to associating the internal core member 4 to the veneer members 5, one or more of the veneer members 5 may be partially formed, followed by the internal core member 4 being inserted into the partially formed veneer member 5. With the internal core member 4 so positioned, the remainder of the veneer member 5 may be formed around the internal core member 4 so as to enclose or entrap the internal core member 4 within a cavity of the veneer member 5. Such an approach is shown in FIGS. 5A-5D. In FIG. 5A, a lower portion “L” of the veneer member 5 is formed. An intermediate portion “I” of the veneer member 5 may then be formed onto the lower portion “L”, as in FIG. 5B. The intermediate portion “I” is formed so as to define a cavity “C”. With the veneer member 5 in the partially formed condition of FIG. 5B, a corresponding portion of the internal core member 4 is inserted into the cavity “C”, as shown in FIG. 5C. Finally, when the internal core member 4 has been properly positioned within the cavity “C”, an upper portion “U” of the veneer member 5 is formed onto the intermediate portion “I”, thus completing the formation of the veneer member 5, as in FIG. 5D. Following formation of the veneer member 5, it may be subjected to additional processing before being ready for use.

The various portions of the veneer member 5 may be sequentially formed using any suitable approach, including three-dimensional (“3D”) printing. A 3D-printed object is formed by sequentially forming a plurality of thin layers of material, with each successive layer being positioned at least partially above and onto the immediately preceding layer. Thus, if the veneer member 5 of FIGS. 5A-5D is formed via 3D printing, a first lower layer is applied to a platform or printing bed. A second lower layer is applied onto the first lower layer, followed by subsequent lower layers being applied onto each other until the lower portion “L” of FIG. 5A has been formed. Next, a first intermediate layer is applied onto the uppermost lower layer (i.e., onto the lower portion “L”), followed by subsequent intermediate layers being applied onto each other until the intermediate portion “I” of FIG. 5B has been formed. Then, after the internal core member 4 has been inserted into the cavity “C” defined by the intermediate portion “I”, a first upper layer is applied onto the uppermost intermediate layer (i.e., onto the intermediate portion “I”), followed by subsequent upper layers being applied onto each other until the upper portion “U” (and, hence, the veneer member 5) has been completely formed.

The individual layers may be formed by any suitable approach. For example, if the veneer member 5 is to be formed of a metallic material, a thin layer of metal powder may be applied to a printing bed and sintered using a laser system. Another layer of metal powder is then applied onto the first layer, with the second layer being sintered using the laser system. This process is repeated until enough layers of metal powder have been applied and sintered to form the various portions of the veneer member 5, with the process being suspended between formation of the intermediate portion “I” and the upper portion “U” to allow for insertion of the internal core member 4. Other approaches to forming the various layers are described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,937,580 (which describes a method of using a hot-wire, with a laser precisely melting metal at a desired location) and U.S. Pat. No. 10,029,406 (which describes a method in which feedstock of material is fed onto a fabrication platform and melted by a high-energy source to form a molten droplet or particle at the point of contact), both of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. It should be understood that these approaches are merely exemplary, and that other approaches may also be employed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Regardless of how exactly the individual veneer members 5 are formed, it should be understood that the outer veneer members 5 may be differently configured from each other, rather than being identical. For example, FIG. 7 shows examples of differently configured outer veneer members 5 that may be incorporated into a single elongated member. In the embodiment of FIG. 7, the outer veneer members 5 are shown as being provided in four different configurations: the single proximal end piece 8; a plurality of common body elements or plates 9, which are short or plate-like and allow for stacking; the single enlarged body element 10, which is of similar design to the other body elements 9, but longer to indicate the optimal anterior position of the distraction device once in its deployed configuration; and the single distal end piece or nose piece 11. The proximal and distal end pieces 8 and 11 may be mounted and fixed to the internal core member 4 using any suitable approach, which may include the method illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5D, adhesion, pressed-fitting, swaging, welding, or pinning. So affixing the end pieces 8 and 11 to the internal core member 4 effectively traps the common and enlarged body elements 9 and 10 between the end pieces 8 and 11, without the body elements 9 and 10 having to be secured to the internal core member 4, which allows the body elements 9 and 10 to move or articulate with respect to the internal core member 4, as will be described in greater detail. By such a configuration, the internal core member 4 and outer veneer members 5 combine to form a continuous, semi-rigid hybrid elongated member.

As noted above, the common body elements 9 and the enlarged body element 10 may articulate with respect to the internal core member 4 to which they are mounted. In one embodiment, which is best seen in FIG. 6B, each of the body elements 9 and 10 may be formed with a dimple 12 and receptacle 13 on opposing end faces, with the dimple 12 of one body element 9, 10 being at least partially received by the receptacle 13 of an adjacent body element 9, 10. Such a configuration allows for engagement and rotation as the hybrid elongated member is flexed and moved from a generally linear configuration to a generally less linear configuration. More particularly, the dimple/receptacle pairs function like a swivel, with there being a gap 14 between inner edges 16 of adjacent body elements 9 and 10 being sufficiently sized so as to not interfere with the articulation of the body elements 9 and 10 required for the hybrid elongated member to move to a generally annular or closed loop configuration, as in FIGS. 1 and 2. Indeed, in one embodiment, the body elements 9 and 10 are configured such that there remains a gap 14 between the inner edges 16 of adjacent body elements 9 and 10 when a closed loop is formed by the distal end piece 11 coming into contact with a side surface of the proximal end piece 8, as shown in the circle detail 15 of FIG. 2. In an alternative embodiment, the body elements 9 and 10 may be configured such that the inner edges 16 of adjacent body elements 9 and 10 do come into contact with each other upon the hybrid elongated member moving into its final deployed configuration, which limits the amount of flexion that can be accomplished.

The distal ends of the first and second elongated members 1 and 2 (whether provided with a hybrid or non-hybrid configuration) can have chamfer or incline or wedge features to ease the passage of the elongated member through tissue, such as bone or vertebral disc material. For example, FIG. 2 shows a chamfer or incline feature visible on the upper surface of the distal end of the first elongated member 1. It should be understood that the lower surface of the distal end of the second elongated member 2 may include a similar chamfer feature.

A non-hybrid elongated member of the distraction device may also include features that add flexibility to the elongated member to assist in bending or changing the configuration of the elongated member from a generally linear configuration to a less linear configuration arid vice versa. For example, a non-hybrid elongated member may include lateral teeth and intermediate slots or indents (similar in structure to the inner edges 16 and gaps 14 of the body elements 9 and 10 of a hybrid elongated member) that aid in relieving stress and add flexibility to the elongated member. When the elongated member is deployed in tissue, the slots may also provide gaps for the introduction of bone filler or bone graft materials, cements, or pharmaceutical compounds to the tissues.

Other features may also be added to enhance the functionality of the elongated members, including grooves, slots, channels, and pockets and teeth or other extensions of various shapes. For example, the proximal end of the augmenting elongated member 3 may be provided with a cavity (FIG. 11) configured to receive the distal portion of a removable, elongated guide member 25 (FIG. 20). The structure and function of the guide member 25 will be described in greater detail herein.

The first and second elongated members 1 and 2 may be provided with formations that assist in maintaining the position of the first and second elongated members 1 and 2 while the augmenting elongated member 3 is inserted therebetween. As shown in FIG. 27, an anchoring or tethering system or wires can be used to hold the first and second elongated members 1 and 2 in place while the augmenting elongated member 3 is inserted between the first and second elongated members 1 and 2. The illustrated tethering system includes a pair of anchor wires or cables or filaments, each of which attaches to the proximal end of one of the first and second elongated members 1 and 2. Each anchor wire may include an enlarged end (e.g., a generally spherical or ball-shaped end piece) that is at least partially received within a cavity defined within the proximal end of the associated elongated member (FIG. 1). Such an anchoring system is described in greater detail in U.S. Pat. No. 9,480,574.

The first and second elongated members 1 and 2 may also be provided with a slot 6 (FIG. 5) extending along all or a portion of their lengths to receive a complementary raised rib or formation of the augmenting elongated member 3 to prevent separation of the elongated members. In one embodiment, the slot 6 has a relatively narrow necked-down portion and a wider portion to receive a generally T-shaped raised rib of the augmenting elongated member 3, as described in greater detail in U.S. Pat. No. 9,480,574. In the case of a hybrid configuration, the relatively narrow necked-down portion of the slot 6 may be defined by the outer veneer members 5, while a wider portion of the slot 6 may be defined by the internal core member 4, as in the embodiment of FIG. 5.

One or more of the elongated members may also be provided with a formation that accommodates a shaping member. For example, FIG. 5 shows an outer veneer member 5 having a through hole or aperture 17 positioned adjacent to the cavity that accommodates the internal core member 4. Although not provided in the embodiment of FIGS. 3-5, a hybrid elongated member may include a shaping member 7 (FIGS. 6A-7) received in the aligned holes 17 of the outer veneer members 5, as in the embodiment of FIGS. 6A and 6B. A non-hybrid elongated member, such as the augmenting elongated member of FIGS. 12A and 12B may include a similarly configured bore or channel configured to receive a shaping member 22. If provided, the shaping members 7 and 22 are preferably fixed in place within the associated elongated member according to any of a number of suitable approaches to prevent the shaping member 7, 22 from backing out or otherwise becoming free of the associated elongated member.

The shaping member 7, 22 may be configured as an elongated rod formed of a shape memory material, such as nitinol. The shaping member 7, 22 provides the force required to deflect the associated elongated member from its generally linear configuration to a generally less linear configuration. FIG. 8 shows a shaping member 7 in a free, unconstrained state, which corresponds to the generally annular or closed loop configuration that the elongated members may assume in their final deployed configurations of FIGS. 1-2 and 11. The configuration of FIG. 8 may be imparted to the shaping member 7, 22 according to a heat-treating process of the type that is well-known to those experienced in working with shape memory materials.

One or more of the elongated members may be provided with a shaping member. For example, FIGS. 12A and 12B show an embodiment in which only the augmenting elongated member 3 includes an associated shaping member 22. FIG. 13 shows an embodiment in which each of the elongated members includes an associated shaping member 23, while FIG. 14 shows an embodiment in which only the first and second elongated members 1 and 2 are provided with associated shaping members 24. It should be understood that these illustrated embodiments are merely exemplary and that, in other embodiments, only one of the first and second elongated members 1 and 2 may be provided with an associated shaping member (with the augmenting elongated member 3 and the other elongated member omitting a shaping member) or one of the first and second elongated members 1 and 2 and the augmenting elongated member 3 may be provided with associated shaping members, while the other one of the first and second elongated member omits a shaping member. Further, it should be understood that other aspects of the present disclosure may be embodied in or employed in combination with a distraction device omitting a shaping member.

The number and position of the shaping member or members, if provided, affects the operation of the resulting distraction device. For example, providing a shaping member 22 in only the augmenting elongated member 3 (as in FIG. 12) could make it simpler to incorporate an anchoring system into the first and second elongated members 1 and 2, as noted above. On the other hand, incorporating a shaping member 13 into each of the elongated members (as in FIG. 13) would provide a greater closing/holding force in a generally annular or closed loop configuration compared to an embodiment having fewer than three shaping members. Incorporating shaping members 24 into only the first and second elongated members 1 and 2 (as in FIG. 14) may better allow for removal and repositioning of the augmenting elongated member 3, in the event that a revision needs to occur during deployment of the distraction device.

In an alternative embodiment, the first and/or second elongated member 1 and 2 may be provided with an elongated shaping member that extends proximally out of the proximal end of the elongated member, rather than being fully embedded within the elongated member. By such a configuration only the distal portion of the shaping member (i.e., the portion positioned within the associated elongated member) is configured to automatically move from the generally linear configuration to a generally less linear configuration, with the remainder of the shaping member (i.e., the portion extending proximally out of the associated elongated member) being configured to remain in a generally linear configuration. The distal portion of the shaping member would be allowed to automatically move the associated elongated member from the generally linear configuration to a generally less linear configuration (which may be its final generally linear configuration), followed by the shaping member being withdrawn from the associated elongated member upon the distraction device being fully deployed between the tissue layers. In such an embodiment, the augmenting elongated member 3 may be provided with a fully embedded shaping member 7, as described above, which remains in the augmenting elongated member 3 following implantation of the distraction device.

In another alternative embodiment, rather than a hybrid elongated member including both an internal core member 4 and a shaping member 7, the internal core member 4 may be at least partially formed of a shape memory material to provide the functionality of the shaping member 7. It may be advantageous for such an internal core member 4 to be partially formed of a PEEK material or other radiopaque material to allow for detection and visualization of the internal core member 4 during implantation. For example, the internal core member 4 may comprise a shape memory material coated with a PEEK material or other radiopaque material to combine the functionality of the previously described internal core member 4 and shaping member 7. Additionally, if the internal core member 4 is at least partially formed of a shape memory material, it may be advantageous for it to be formed with slots or other formations for enhanced flexibility, as the internal core member 4 typically has a greater cross-sectional area than the shaping member 7, which may require such flexibility-enhancing features to allow the internal core member 4 to move from the generally linear configuration to a final generally less linear configuration.

FIGS. 15-19 illustrate yet another embodiment of a tissue distraction device 50 according to the present disclosure, which may be particularly configured for lordotic correction. The embodiment of FIGS. 15-19 is similar to other embodiments described herein, but includes a number of differences, which may be incorporated into the other embodiments described herein. For example, FIG. 15 shows the components of an upper elongated member 51 of the tissue distraction device 50 that may be compared to the components of the upper elongated member of FIG. 7. FIG. 7 shows an upper elongated member comprised of a proximal end piece 8, a plurality of common body elements or plates 9, a single enlarged body element 10, a distal end piece or nose piece 11, an internal core member 4, and a shaping member 7. In the embodiment of FIGS. 15-19, an upper elongated member 51 (and/or a lower elongated member 52) is comprised of a proximal end piece 53 (which may be configured similarly to the proximal end piece 8 of FIG. 7), a single body piece 54, and a modified distal end piece or nose piece 55. While FIG. 15 does not illustrate a shaping member, it should be understood that a shaping member may be included without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

The modified distal end piece 55 of FIG. 15 may be understood as a combination of the distal end piece 11 and the internal core member 4 of FIG. 7, with a distal portion 56 thereof configured similarly to the distal end piece 11 of FIG. 7 and a proximal portion 57 thereof configured similarly to a portion of the internal core member 4 of FIG. 7. By providing a single piece 55 in place of the two pieces of FIG. 7, assembly of the elongated member 51 may be simplified, with the proximal portion 57 of the modified distal end piece 55 (which may be referred to herein as the internal core member) providing a platform onto which the body piece 54 and then the proximal end piece 53 may be slid in a distal direction. The proximal end piece 53 may be secured to the internal core member 57 by any suitable approach (e.g., being pinned, screwed, mechanically fastened, or adhered) to trap the body piece 54 between the proximal end piece 53 and the distal portion 56 of the modified distal end piece 55 (which may be referred to herein as the nose piece). While FIG. 15 shows the internal core member 57 monolithically formed with the nose piece 56, it should be understood that the internal core member 57 may instead be incorporated into the proximal end piece 53.

As the internal core member 57 is preferably flexible (to allow for a change in the configuration of the elongated member 51 during implantation), the modified distal end piece 55 is preferably formed of a flexible material, such as PEEK or another polymer, with the modified distal end piece 55 being manufactured using any of a number of suitable techniques, including machining or milling techniques. Thus, rather than the nose piece 56 being formed of a generally rigid material (as is the case with the distal end piece 11 of FIG. 7), the nose piece 56 is instead formed of a more flexible material. However, while the entire modified distal end piece 55 may be formed of the same generally flexible material, it should be understood that the nose piece 56 will tend to be less deformable than the internal core member 57 due to it having a larger cross section.

Turning now to the modified body piece 54, it comprises a plurality of individual outer veneer members or body elements 58 a-58 c (collectively referred to as 58) corresponding generally to the common body elements or plates 9 and enlarged body element 10 of FIG. 7. Rather than being separately formed, at least two of the individual body elements 58 of the modified body piece 54 are formed (e.g., by 3D printing or any other suitable approach) as a single piece, rather than all of the body elements 58 being separately formed. In the illustrated embodiment, all of the body elements 58 are formed as a single piece, but it should be understood that one or more of the body elements 58 may be separately provided. Each constituent body element 58 of the modified body piece 54 may be connected to the adjacent body element 58 by one or more frangible bridges 59 (FIGS. 16 and 17) that are configured to be broken to separate the previously connected body elements 58. In such an embodiment, the single body piece 54 is associated with the internal core member 57, followed by the internal core member 57 being deformed (e.g., by moving the internal core member 57 from a generally linear configuration to an arcuate or annular configuration). So deforming the internal core member 57 causes the frangible bridges 59 to break, thus separating the constituent body elements 58 of the body piece 54. Thereafter, the internal core member 57 may be returned to the generally linear configuration prior to implantation.

While such “single piece” construction may be particularly advantageous for the body elements, it should be understood that one or both of the end pieces (when the distal end piece is formed of the same material as the body elements, as in FIG. 7) may be integrally formed with an adjacent body element (i.e., formed as a single piece). In such an embodiment, the single piece incorporating the end piece(s) is associated with the internal core member (which may include the end piece(s) being fixedly secured to the internal core member), followed by the internal core member being deformed to break the frangible bridge(s) of the single piece and separate each of the veneer members prior to implantation. It should be understood that bridges may be incorporated into the manufacture of the veneer members of the other embodiments described herein and that this aspect of the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiment of FIGS. 15-19.

It may be particularly advantageous for the body elements to be connected together during manufacture if they are differently configured and arranged in a particular orientation. For example, it will be seen that the body elements 58 of FIGS. 15-19 do not have a uniform height or thickness, but that at least two of the body elements 58 have different heights. So providing the body elements 58 with a varying thickness along its length will cause different amounts of distraction along the length of the distraction device 50 (FIG. 19). For instance, as best shown in FIG. 16, the height or thickness of the body elements 58 gradually or incrementally increases from a proximal-most body element 58 a to a more centrally positioned body element 58 b. The height or thickness of the body elements 58 gradually or incrementally decreases from the more centrally positioned, tallest body element 58 b to a distal-most body element 58 c. The more proximal body elements 58 (including the proximal-most body element 58 a) may be thinner (shorter) than the more distal body elements 58 (including the distal-most body element 58 c), which may be thinner (shorter) than more centrally positioned body elements 58 (including the tallest body element 58 b). In this case, the increase in the height of the distal portion of the distraction device 50 will be greater than the augmentation in the height of the proximal portion of the distraction device 50, but less than the augmentation in the height of the central portion of the distraction device 50.

It should be understood that the illustrated configuration is merely exemplary and that other configurations (e.g., a configuration in which the more proximal body elements are the thickest or tallest of the body elements) are also within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, in addition to (or instead of) body elements having different heights, it is also within the scope of the present disclosure for two or more body elements of an elongated member to have different widths, rather than the body elements having the same width (as best shown in FIG. 17). It should also be understood that the body elements 58 of FIGS. 15-19 may have a uniform height or thickness (and/or varying widths) and that the body elements of the other embodiments described herein may having varying heights or thicknesses (and/or varying widths) without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

The ability to create a greater increase in height in one region of a distraction device allows for adjustments in the curvature of the spine of a patient. For instance, a collapsed disc in the lumbar region of the spine can result in the loss of the normal lordosis in the lumbar region of the spine. The insertion of upper and/or lower elongated members 51 and 52 of variable thickness/height in a collapsed lumbar disc can restore the lumbar disc to the more normal morphology of a greater height on its anterior region as compared to its posterior region. In such a situation, the upper and/or lower elongated members 51 and 52 may have a greater height at its/their central region between the distal and proximal ends than at either the proximal end or distal end, as in FIGS. 18 and 19. While FIGS. 18 and 19 show upper and lower elongated members 51 and 52 configured as mirror images of each other (which may be particularly advantageous for lordotic correction), with an augmenting elongated member 60 providing substantially uniform separation of the two other elongated members 51 and 52, it should be understood that the upper and lower elongated members 51 and 52 may be configured as other than mirror images of each other.

According to an exemplary implantation method (which may be employed with any of the embodiments described herein), an access port is made through the annulus of a vertebral disc using instruments and endoscopic or minimally invasive procedures generally known to those skilled in the art. The access port may be relatively small (e.g., no larger than the size of a deployment cannula used to implant the distraction device), such that the procedure may be minimally invasive, with the resulting tissue distraction height being greater than the height of the access port. The location of the access port may vary without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, but it is preferred for the location of the access port be chosen so as to decrease the risk of nerve damage. In one embodiment, the access port is positioned so as to facilitate a transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (“TLIF”) approach, but other approaches may also be practiced without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, according to another approach, the access port may be positioned so as to facilitate deployment of the elongated members through Karnbin's triangle, which is defined by the exiting nerve root (the hypotenuse of the triangle), the superior border of the inferior vertebra (the base of the triangle), and the traversing nerve root (the height of the triangle). While this approach results in an access port that is positioned at a different location than in the illustrated TLIF approach, it should be understood that the method of inserting the elongated members so as to define the implant in situ may be substantially the same.

Optionally, all or a portion of the nucleus pulposus is removed and the endplates of the adjacent vertebrae are scraped to cause bleeding and promote the fusion of bone graft material to the vertebral endplates. Sizing paddles or like apparatus, may be slipped through the access port to determine the minimum disc height and the desired final disc height. Based on the minimum and desired final disc height measurement from the sizing paddles, the physician chooses the deployment cannula and distraction device sizes. The maximum outer dimension of the deployment cannula used to deliver the distraction device is preferably similar or slightly smaller in height than the minimum disc height measured. Accounting for the cannula wall thickness and any gap between the cannula and the top-to-bottom height of the first and second elongated members 1 and 2, the first and second elongated members 1 and 2 together are selected so as to be slightly less in height, top to bottom, than the minimum disc height.

FIG. 26 shows an exemplary deployment device 37 that is suitable for such a procedure. The deployment device 37 may be configured and function according to the description of U.S. Pat. No. 9,480,574. Briefly, the deployment device 37 includes a deployment cannula 46 (FIG. 32) in which the elongated members are positioned and constrained into a generally linear configuration, with the first and second elongated members 1 and 2 arranged in a stack distally of the augmenting elongated member 3. The first and second elongated members 1 and 2 are advanced out of the deployment cannula and into position between two tissue layers, such as by operation of a pusher member of the deployment device 37 or by distally advancing the guide member 25, which causes the augmenting elongated member 3 to press against the first and second elongated members 1 and 2 and advance them out of the deployment cannula. Advancement of the first and second elongated members 1 and 2 optionally includes moving them from their generally linear configuration to the generally less linear configuration 43 of FIG. 30. This movement may be automatic (e.g., if the first and second elongated members 1 and 2 are provided with associated shaping members) or may be controlled by an operator or surgeon (e.g., by operating pull wires of the type described in greater detail in U.S. Pat. No. 9,480,574).

With the first and second elongated members 1 and 2 positioned outside of the deployment cannula and in the generally less linear configuration, the augmenting elongated member 3 may be advanced out of the deployment cannula and into place between the first and second elongated members 1 and 2. FIG. 31 shows the augmenting elongated member 3 exiting the deployment cannula, which causes the augmenting elongated member 3 to contact and spread apart the first and second elongated members 1 and 2, thereby increasing the dimensional aspect or height of at least a portion of the distraction device. The degree of height increase of the distraction device is dependent upon the height of the augmenting elongated member 3. For instance, a thicker augmenting elongated member (i.e., an augmenting elongated member having a relatively great height) will cause a greater increase in the height of the distraction device than a thinner augmenting elongated member (i.e., an augmenting elongated member having a relatively small height). In embodiments inserted into the disc space to distract adjacent vertebral bodies, the height of the distraction device (which is generally equal to the combined heights of the bodies of the constituent elongated members) is preferably sufficient to restore the disc to its normal height or thereabout, which will depend on the size of the patient and the disc's location in the spinal column. The height of the distraction device can be, for example, from about 5 mm to about 15 mm. More particularly, the height can be from about 7.5 mm to about 13.5 mm, or about 9 mm to about 12 mm and ranges therein. For relatively short individuals or children, the disc size and, consequently, the height of the support structure can be, for example, from about 5 mm to about 7 mm. For relatively tall individuals, the disc height and, consequently, the height of the support structure can be, for example, from about 9 mm to about 15 mm or greater potentially. In other applications, the dimensions (including the heights) of the individual elongated members and the resulting distraction device may vary without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

In one embodiment, the thickness of the augmenting elongated member 3 can be different along its length to cause different amounts of additional distraction along the length of the distraction device. For instance, the proximal portion of the augmenting member 3 may be thicker (taller) than the distal portion of the augmenting member 3, in which case the increase in the height of the proximal portion of the distraction device will be greater than the augmentation in the height of the distal portion of the device. The ability to create a greater increase in height in one region of a distraction device allows for adjustments in the curvature of the spine of a patient. For instance, a collapsed disc in the lumbar region of the spine can result in the loss of the normal lordosis in the lumbar region of the spine. The insertion of an augmenting elongated member 3 of variable thickness/height between first and second elongated members 1 and 2 deployed in a collapsed lumbar disc can restore the lumbar disc to the more normal morphology of a greater height on its anterior region as compared to its posterior region. In such a situation, the augmenting member 3 may have a greater height at its central region between the distal and proximal ends than at either the proximal end or distal end. Rather than (or in addition to) the augmenting member 3 having a varying thickness, one or both of the first and second elongated members 1 and 2 may have a varying thickness (as in FIGS. 15-19), if lordotic correction is required. Alternatively, the elongated members may be configured to combine to form a distraction device having a generally uniform height or dimensional aspect for uniform distraction of a pair of tissue layers.

Preferably, once augmented, the height or dimensional aspect of the distraction device is fixed and is not adjustable or variable, while the augmenting member 3 is preferably fixed in position between the first and second elongated members 1 and 2 and not removable. For example, as described above, the elongated members may be provided with mating formations that prevent the first and second elongated members 1 and 2 from separating from the augmenting elongated member 3. Prior to full insertion of the augmenting elongated member 3, it may be moved proximally and at least partially out of position between the first and second elongated members 1 and 2 for repositioning and readjustment, as necessary. If the augmenting elongated member 3 is provided with an associated guide member 25, the guide member 25 may be moved proximally to withdraw the augmenting elongated member 3 from between the first and second elongated members 1 and 2.

FIG. 31 shows the augmenting elongated member 3 in a partially inserted condition 44, while FIG. 32 shows the augmenting elongated member 3 in a fully inserted condition 45. As shown in FIG. 32, the augmenting elongated member 3 may be shorter or less elongated than the first and second elongated members 1 and 2, thereby defining a window in the fully assembled distraction device. The function of the window will be described in greater detail herein.

FIGS. 27-29 illustrate insertion of the distraction device using a modified deployment cannula 38. In particular, the deployment cannula 38 includes a deformable distal end, which is configured to change between an initial configuration (generally identified in FIG. 28 at 40) and an expanded or deformed configuration (generally identified in FIG. 29 at 41). In the illustrated embodiment, the distal end of the deployment cannula 38 has a split design or configuration, which allows a first or upper portion of the distal end of the deployment cannula 38 to resiliently flex away from a second or lower portion of the distal end of the deployment cannula 38. The distal end of the deployment cannula 38 retains its initial configuration with the first and second elongated members 1 and 2 partially advanced out of the deployment cannula 38 (as generally identified in FIG. 28 at 39), before moving to its deformed configuration when the augmenting elongated member 3 is at least partially inserted between the first and second elongated members 1 and 2 with the first and second elongated members 1 and 2 still partially positioned within the deployment cannula 38 (as generally identified in FIG. 29 at 42). FIGS. 28 and 29 show the elongated members retaining their generally linear configuration (which would be the case for an embodiment in which shaping members are omitted and replaced with some other shaping mechanism, such as pull wires), but it should be understood that the portions of the first and second elongated members 1 and 2 positioned outside of the deployment cannula 38 will typically move from their generally linear configuration to a generally less linear configuration upon exiting the deployment cannula 38.

Rather than the opposing portions of the distal end of the deployment cannula 38 freely pivoting away from each other, they are preferably deformed outwardly against a resilient force that tends to bring the opposing portions back to their initial configuration. Such a resilient force helps to maintain proper position of the elongated members during assembly of the distraction device and ensure that the augmenting elongated member 3 is successfully engaged by the first and second elongated member 1 and 2 during insertion. However, while the illustrated configuration may be preferred, it should be understood that the deformability of the distal end of the deployment cannula may be imparted by a different mechanism without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. It should also be understood that a deployment cannula with a deformable distal end may be used in combination with any suitable distraction device and is not limited to use in combination with the distraction devices described herein.

As described above, the augmenting elongated member 3 may be provided with an associated guide member 25, with the combined augmenting elongated member and guide member being generally identified at 26 in FIG. 20. FIGS. 21-25 illustrate an exemplary method in which the guide member 25 is used to inject a filler material into an interior of a deployed distraction device, followed by removal of the guide member 25 from the distraction device. In particular, the distraction device is formed with the guide member 25 attached to the augmenting elongated member 3, with at least a portion of the guide member 25 remaining within the deployment cannula during implantation. Once the deployment is completed, the deployment device (identified in FIG. 21 at 27 in a condition in which a pusher member has been advanced to deploy the elongated members) is disconnected from the distraction device 28 (including the guide member 25) and moved proximally (as indicated at 29 in FIG. 21) to completely dissociate the deployment device from the distraction device 28.

The guide member 25 serves as a guide for an injection aid 30, which is shown in FIG. 22. The injection aid 30 includes a follower member or guiding tube 33 and a funnel member or guide port 32. The follower member 33 is associable with the guide member 25 to allow movement of the injection aid 30 along at least a portion of the length of the guide member 25. For example, the follower member 33 may be configured as a tube that receives the guide member 25 for sliding movement of the injection aid 30 along the guide member 25 toward and away from the distraction device 28. As for the funnel member 32, it defines a lumen and extends between a proximal end or funnel 31 configured to accommodate at least a portion of an injection device 34 (FIG. 23) and a distal end. In addition to allowing for movement of the injection aid 30 along the guide member 25, the follower member 33 also serves to align the distal end of the funnel member 32 with a window defined in the distraction device 28. To that end, it may be advantageous for the follower member 33 to be configured to have a keyed relationship with the guide member 25, such that the follower member 33 may only be associated with the guide member 25 in one orientation that properly aligns the funnel member 32 and the window.

The injection aid 30 is moved along the guide member 25 to place the distal end of the funnel member 32 adjacent to the window of the distraction device 28, at least partially inside of the window, or in the interior of the distraction device 28 via the window. With the distal end of the funnel member 32 so positioned, an injector device 34 (which, in one embodiment, is configured as described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016/0228261, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference) is partially advanced into the lumen of the funnel member 32. The injector device 34 is then used to introduce a filler material or bone graft material into the interior of the distraction device 28.

Upon completion of that step, the injector device 34 and injection aid 30 may be moved proximally away from the distraction device 28 to completely dissociate the injection aid 30 and the injector device 34 from the distraction device 28 and the guide member 25. The guide member 25 may then be removed from the distraction device 28. In one embodiment, a proximal portion of the guide member 25 includes a formation or recess 36 (FIG. 20) configured to accommodate a handle member 35, as shown in FIG. 24. With the handle member 35 attached to the guide member 25, the handle member 35 may be manipulated (e.g., to cause the guide member 25 to rotate about its central axis) to disconnect the guide member 25 from the distraction device 28, leaving only the distraction device 28 between the tissue layers (FIG. 25) to complete the implant deployment operation. It should be understood that the guide member 25 and associated method of use may be used in combination with other distraction members having an interior to be at least partially filled with a filler material and is not limited to use in combination with distraction devices of the type described herein.

Following removal of the guide member 25, the access port may be closed, along with any other access points opened to reach the disc space. Additional details of a suitable implantation method may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 9,480,574.

It will be understood that the embodiments described above are illustrative of some of the applications of the principles of the present subject matter. Numerous modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter, including those combinations of features that are individually disclosed or claimed herein. For these reasons, the scope hereof is not limited to the above description but is as set forth in the following claims, and it is understood that claims may be directed to the features hereof, including as combinations of features that are individually disclosed or claimed herein. 

1. A tissue distraction device comprising at least one elongated member comprised of an elongated internal core member and a plurality of veneer members at least partially surrounding the internal core member and spaced along the length of the internal core member, wherein the internal core member is sufficiently flexible to change between a generally linear configuration and a generally less linear configuration, and the plurality of veneer members are substantially formed of a generally rigid material.
 2. The tissue distraction device of claim 1, wherein the internal core member is substantially formed of a polymeric material.
 3. The tissue distraction device of claim 1, wherein the internal core member is substantially formed of polyetheretherketone.
 4. The tissue distraction device of claim 1, wherein said generally rigid material comprises a metallic material.
 5. The tissue distraction device of claim 1, wherein said generally rigid material comprises a titanium material.
 6. The tissue distraction device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of an outer surface of at least one of said plurality of veneer members has a rough, porous surface.
 7. The tissue distraction device of claim 1, wherein at least two of said plurality of veneer members are differently configured.
 8. The tissue distraction device of claim 1, wherein one of said plurality of veneer members comprises a proximal end piece fixedly secured to the internal core member, another one of said plurality of veneer members comprises a distal end piece fixedly secured to the internal core member, and the remaining plurality of veneer member comprise body elements positioned between the proximal and distal end pieces.
 9. The tissue distraction device of claim 8, wherein the body elements are not fixedly secured to the internal core member.
 10. The tissue distraction device of claim 8, wherein one of the body elements comprises an enlarged body element configured and oriented to indicate an orientation of the tissue distraction device in situ.
 11. The tissue distraction device of claim 8, wherein the proximal and distal end pieces each have a length that is greater than their height and width, and the body elements each have a length that is less than their height and width.
 12. The tissue distraction device of claim 8, wherein at least one of said body elements comprises an end face including a dimple, and an adjacent one of said body elements comprises an end face including a receptacle configured to at least partially receive the dimple and to cooperate with the dimple to allow for engagement and relative rotation of said at least one of said body elements and said adjacent one of said body elements.
 13. The tissue distraction device of claim 1, wherein at least two of said plurality of veneer members are formed as a single piece, and the single piece is configured to be broken to separate said at least two of said plurality of veneer members.
 14. The tissue distraction device of claim 1, wherein said at least one elongated member is configured to be in a generally annular or closed loop configuration when the internal core member is in said generally less linear configuration.
 15. The tissue distraction device of claim 1, further comprising a shaping member associated with said at least one elongated member, wherein the shaping member is configured to automatically move the internal core member from the generally linear configuration to the generally less linear configuration.
 16. The tissue distraction device of claim 15, wherein the shaping member is fully embedded within said at least one elongated member.
 17. The tissue distraction device of claim 15, wherein a distal portion of the shaping member is positioned within said at least one elongated member and a proximal portion of the shaping member extends proximally out of said at least one elongated member.
 18. The tissue distraction device of claim 15, wherein the shaping member is removably associated with said at least one elongated member.
 19. The tissue distraction device of claim 1, wherein the internal core member is at least partially formed of a shape memory material and configured to automatically move from the generally linear configuration to the generally less linear configuration.
 20. The tissue distraction device of claim 19, wherein at least a portion of the internal core member is coated with a radiopaque material.
 21. The tissue distraction device of claim 1, wherein a distal nose piece is integrally formed with the internal core member. 22-55. (canceled) 